Since coming to New Zealand just over a year ago I have spent a good amount of time partaking in activities other than kayaking. Whilst kayaking is still my favourite way to enjoy the outdoors I have expanded my horizons to hobbies that will keep me occupied when it hasn't been raining, or when it has been snowing. I always swore I wouldn't become one of those kayakers who only actually ever went mountain biking, but it has been a very dry month out here on the West Coast so I've found myself out on the bike quite often. Doing the Old Ghost Road has been something I want to do for a while and is a great way to experience the beauty of the West Coast whilst still getting a bit of an adrenaline fix.

Lyell Saddle Hut - Jai Sutcliffe

.It didn't take much to convince Jai to come along and thanks to a long weekend off school we had time to head to Lyell and embark on this adventure trail through wilderness and history. The Old Ghost Road connects two old mining tracks between Lyell and Seddonville and old relics and bush-reclaimed villages litter the trail. It is amazing to imagine laden horses travelling parts of this track that I struggled to navigate on a mountain bike!

On the trail - Jai Sutcliffe

The scenery is absolutely spectacular and we were blessed with gorgeous sunshine the entire trip. Some fantastic wildlife was also heard/spotted with moreporks, wekas and kiwis keeping us awake the first night at Lyell Saddle and a family of whios (blue ducks) entertaining us on the second evening at Stern Valley.​Upon arriving at Specimen Point where we were to spend a third night we encountered a stag group and countless sandflies and decided to cruise on the last 17km to Seddonville and out. I can't recommend this trail enough and would like to thank Jai for his company and Ben Louie from school for looking over my bike before we went to ensure it wouldn't conk out in the middle of nowhere!